Beginner’s Guide to Watching Kurosawa Movies

The more popular an artist is, the harder it is to start enjoying his work. You may feel that you are basically familiar with them due to cultural penetration, where you will see their debris and the effects around them. You may also feel paralyzed by your choice and don’t know where to start your journey of discovery.

This feeling about Akira Kurosawa is widely regarded as one of the greatest filmmakers in history. Kurosawa’s film work is directed by more than 30 films, full of historical dramas, social commentary, heartbreaking action and profound introspection of human nature. Where did you start with such talent? Here are some suggestions.

Official poster of 1941 Uma – meaning “horse”

Ironman Method

Most of Kurosawa’s film work is easily available in Japan on streaming platforms such as U-Next or Prime Video. DVDs of his movies are also usually cheap, especially if you buy them second-hand. From his debut to his last film work, I enjoyed not only the evolution of his style, but also the evolution of the era in which he lived, which made it easy to watch all of Kurosawa’s films in chronological order. This is just a problem.

Not everyone agrees with Kurosawa’s first movie. He was first known as the director of the 1943 film Sanshiro SugataThis is an interesting historical martial art that tells the battle between judo and jujusu. However, before serving as director chairman, Kurosawa served as a number of film assistant directors. It is now widely believed that in such works The drama of 1941 one – Meaning “Horse” – He actually formally attributes most of his work to Kajiro, the director of the Yamamoto writer.

Many Kurosawa scholars have seen the fingerprints of young artists one, Even if you don’t think of it as a pure black joint, it’s still worth mentioning its portrayal in Tohoku’s rural life. There is some military propaganda at the beginning and end of the movie, but that doesn’t deviate from the quality of the movie.

In addition, many Kurosawa cinematography mentions the 1946 films Those who do tomorrow This is also a promotional work. Only this one comes from the Allies, they want a movie about union. Kurosawa is one of three directors on the project, but personally does not consider it part of his legacy. Also, it is difficult to master. At this point, it can only be seen at the film festival.

However, the real Kurosawa Finisher may still try to hunt down that one. For extra credit, watch 30 movies written by Kurosawa, but without guidance, including his last 1999 Japanese and French drama scripts After the rain, Featured by Kurosawa’s grandson Takato Kato, in a supporting role.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj1toratcto

mifune method

Kurosawa’s success is defined by his partnership with the Powerhouse actor. At the end of his career, is the vision of Tatsuya Nakadai Kagemusha (1980) and run (1985). However, at the beginning, famous actor Takashi Shimura appeared in Sanshiro Sugata At the beginning of the Kurosawa Director’s Journey. Unfortunately, he has also appeared in his weak films, such as purely propaganda works The most beautiful (1944) and the above Those who do tomorrow.

Admittedly, it’s the problem of watching everything Kurosawa directs: you have to pass through objectively bad movies he has to get rid of his own system or is forced to make, e.g. Sanshiro Sugata Part 2. This is the first sequel in the world in a number and a totally unpleasant film experience full of nationalist propaganda.

Unfortunately, the Ironman method may be sore on the black and yellow tiles. A safe option is to simply watch a director collaborate with movies Toshiro Mifune. One of the greatest Japanese actors ever Mifune appears in 16 Blacksawa movies,from Drunk Angel (1948), where he plays Yakuza with Shimura’s alcoholic doctor.

Many people consider Drunk Angel The beginning of Kurosawa’s true career despite the 1947 film A wonderful Sunday There is also a lot to offer.

Nevertheless, only watching Kurosawa-Mifaen movies is the secret to a good time and a great way to see actors as men playing the warriors Seven warriors (1954)Hidden Fortress (1958) and brave (1961).

exist Quiet duel (1949), he played a stoic idealist surgeon who accidentally contracted syphilis during the operation. Two years later, idiot (1951) – A movie based on the novel of the same name, The Novel of the same name – He puts a man in trouble in trouble with violence and passionate emotions.

exist Bad sleep (1960), Mifune played a mix of the modern little village and the Count Monte Cristo. His last Blacksawa movie, Red beard (1965), sadly, the rift between the two, but at least we get a fascinating portrayal of a feudal doctor and martial artist.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywp_kxyd-rw

BFI method

The choice of the British Film Academy Among the 10 best Akira Kurosawa movies, there is one of the most useful encapsulations in the directorial work you will see. The Mifune method is fun, but it skips all the famous color movies – every Kurosawa-Mifane movie is black and white – as well as some of his early works, which is essential if you want to know the director.

BFI gets this, which is why its choice allows viewers to taste it all: Early Humanism Kurosawa (Don’t regret our youth), Crazy Badas Mifune (Seven warriors), the dignified Mifune provides social commentary (scandal), Shimura Deprive the audience of their hearts ((ikiru), or Kurosawa masters the historical epic and uses in cinemas (run). That’s only half of the list.

Jasper Sharp’s choice for BFI is obviously subjective, but the author did an Ironclad case for all the entries. It is best to watch them in chronological order, which should bring you the most useful Kurosawa experience ever. If the movie feels like a tedious thing and you don’t want to see more, it will mean Kurosawa isn’t your teacup, which is totally OK. However, others may find themselves enthusiastically picking up the director being layoffs and wanting more.

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